What Happened to Mary Lee Grobe?

This site was set up as yet another attempt to find Mary Lee Grobe and to seek justice for her. Mary disappeared from her home near Poplar Bluff, MO on 9/27/03 and we have yet to get the answers we deserve.
We hope Missouri politicians and law enforcement will use Mary's case to learn from so this horrible nightmare never happens to another family.

Friday, September 27, 2013

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Thank You Butler County

Thank you Butler County, Missouri and all the caring people who located Mary Lee Grobe and made sure she was at least granted her final wish to be buried beside her husband. Thank you for the prayers, the comforting words, the hard labor, the brain work and determination that went into finding her in April 2009. Extensive DNA comparison with four of her children was done and confirms her identity.
Thank you to all levels of law enforcement once Heaton left office; Sherriff Dobbs, Investigator/Coroner Jim Akers, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, The FBI, the Fire Marshall’s office, the Division of Senior Services and I’m sure many more. This case tugged at many hearts in Missouri and the nation and finally brought out the best investigators once they were allowed on the case. The trouble was it took so long to get investigated plus they had to contend with local family dynamics involving their own theories and motives.
Thank you to the Daily American Republic newspaper, Channel 12 KFVS, Fox2News Channel 2 for the news coverage that helped let the residents know she was missing and needed our help. This was a sad case; one that cried out for the public’s help. Nothing made sense, nothing added up. Someone was up to no good. She was a loyal upstanding citizen who did nothing wrong. She was just trying to live her life peacefully.
At the time she vanished she was a 74 year old, legally declared incompetent child-like elderly widow from Poplar Bluff, MO who lived alone. She vanished from her home on 9/27/2003. Amy Bridgewater was the last person to admit seeing her. Mary didn’t drive, couldn’t walk very far and didn’t leave home unless a family member drove her. The door was locked from the outside but her purse, medicines, and all her belongings were inside. She didn’t tell anyone she was leaving as she would normally do. Her dog also vanished with her, but returned 2 days later washed and bathed obviously to conceal evidence.
Congratulations, Butler County, Missouri for finding Mary and granting her final wish but your help is still needed in solving the case. Why was an incompetent child-like sweet lady living alone? Who was watching her? Where were Sharron Payne, Mary’s Public Administrator, and the family members who promised the Butler County Court they would watch her so they could prevent her from going to a safer environment? Why were she and her dog, BB, taken from her home? Who would have wanted her gone—she wasn’t bothering anyone? Who had access to her property and a key to her house? Who benefited financially by getting rid of her?
Please continue to speak up and tell what you know about this case. Call Butler County Sherriff’s Department. There have been many rumors tossed out to mislead and confuse but the truth is still out there. We still need answers and justice for Mary. Please help!

Finally Justice for One of the Cold Cases in SEMO

Justice Took a Long Time but Finally Here

Wow, Good Job Sheriff Dobbs and Butler County! A cold case that has been solved. It is so sad how people can hide something terribe like this for so long. Thank you for not giving up on finding answers.
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BUTLER COUNTY, MO (KFVS) - Investigators make a huge break in a Butler County cold case.
Authorities arrested four people Thursday in connection with the 1999 murder of Carla Ann Austin.
Investigators say probable cause exist that the four suspects conspired to kill Carla Ann Austin.
Arrested are Austin's step-daughters, another member of her late husband's family and a family friend.
Melissa Baggett, John Austin and Henry 'Marlin' Rice all of Qulin, along with Tracy Rea, of Neosho all face second degree murder charges.
John Austin bonded out of jail early Thursday afternoon.
Tracy Austin waived arraignment and pleaded not guilty on Friday. She is due back in court on May 10.
Melissa Baggett waived arraignment, pleaded not guilty on Friday. She is due back in court on April 26.
For Austin's biological daughters, this is a day they thought would never come.
"I just can't believe it," said Mindy Crafford. "Justice can be served. You won't get away with this."
Heartland News went along Thursday morning as Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs, deputies, members of the Highway Patrol and Qulin Police Department made arrests in Qulin.
First, they took John Austin into custody, and then followed a few blocks later to arrest Henry 'Marlin' Rice at his apartment.
Earlier in the day Tracy Rea was arrested in Neosho and just before 3 p.m., her sister Melissa Baggett of Butler County turned herself in.
"This is definitely a complicated case because of the family dynamic," said Sheriff Dobbs.
The arrests come nearly 13 years after Austin's murder. According to the sheriff statement, Carla Ann Austin was reported missing by her aunt on August 8, 1999. Hunters found her body a few months later in November.
According to the probable cause, Carla Ann Austin's body was found around 30 yards from the tree line inside a patch of woods to the west of a field road. Authorities say she was positively identified through dental records.
"I've just always wanted to know the truth," said Crafford. She was eight years old when her mother disappeared. "We always felt like the family was involved."
Rest of the story on
KFVS

Justice for Missing Mom?

Hopefully, Jacque's family can get the answers they deserve.
Clay Waller is charged with his wife's murder. It took awhile but commendable effort on the part of investigators to solve this terrible crime.
Cape Girardeau, MO (KSDK) - Clay Waller, the estranged husband of a missing mother of triplets, has been charged with murder in connection to her disappearance.
Morley Swingle, the Prosecuting Attorney for Cape Girardeau County, filed first-degree murder charges against Clay Waller regarding the disappearance of his wife, Jacque. Prosecutors also charged Clay Waller with two counts of evidence tampering.
Swingle said his office will not seek the death penalty in the case.
Clay Waller, 41, is being held on a $1 million bond.
Jacque Waller, 39, was last seen leaving Clay Waller's residence in Jackson on June 1, 2011. Her body has not been found.
Read the article on
StLToday.Com
See the video on:
KFVS
KSDK

Sunday, April 01, 2012

Once Again--Commendable Efforts to Find Jacque Waller

So sad; hopeful the family will have answers soon.kfvsWaller SearchCrews with the Scott County Sheriff's Department and Southeast Missouri Search and Rescue Team out of Poplar Bluff were on hand. There were also K-9 units searching as well.

Searchers and dozens of volunteers met at 8:30 a.m. Saturday and plan on searching the majority of the day.

There was a helicopter scheduled to do fly by, and boaters in water searching for clues as well.

Searchers say they were looking for specific items of interest in the area by land, air and water.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Sad Anniversary Today!

9-27-11 marked the 8 Year Anniversary of the disappearance of Mary Lee Grobe from her home in Poplar Bluff, MO. It marked the eight year anniversary of undeserved freedom for the one responsible for her disappearance. It marked eight years of lies for all those who helped conceal it. It also marks another year of undeserved public trust and office of Sharron Payne, Mary's Public Administrator who had the power in her hands to help Mary but chose to turn her back on her client and let be victimized.

Mary Lee Grobe was ripped from the people who loved her 8 years ago today. We have yet to see justice—we have yet to have resolution.

We hope the guilty one(s) stop for a moment today and reflect on what they have done. God already knows who was responsible on 9-27-03 but the rest of us need resolution. All need to come clean for any forgiveness. Soap won’t clean what you have done. Mary Lee Grobe’s blood cries out and you can’t wash it off until you tell the truth.

Our questions to you the one responsible include: What did she do to deserve this in your eyes? Who else deserved this in your eyes? Was it worth it? How can your family stand you? How can they protect you? Why would they want to? How can they restfully sleep at night? Doesn’t it occur to them that if you think you can make money off it; their life is at risk also? How can you stand yourself?

Why didn’t she (in your evil eyes) deserve a proper burial? For all those duped . . . has your reasoning ability kicked in yet? Have you finally looked at the evidence around you? Hate people if you must for whatever trumped up reason that makes you feel good but use your brain—look at who benefited from her disappearance. Look who had opportunity. If it has dawned on you that you were duped; you are probably embarrassed right now but the embarrassment isn’t going to go away just because you continue to ignore it. The embarrassment will go away and forgiveness given once you speak up and bravely step forward.

There’s no more reward money, you missed that, but doing the right thing is priceless. Doing the right thing is what Mary Lee Grobe deserves! Do the right thing if not for yourself, your family, for Mary.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Jacque Waller's Husband Talks to Reporters

Cape Girardeau, MO (KSDK) - The husband of a missing mother of triplets says he's been the target of vandalism and even received threats from local police.

In an article published in The Southeast Missourian, Clay Waller says the Jackson Police Department should stop focusing its attention on him and look for his wife, Jacque Waller, who has been missing since June 1. The couple was in the midst of a divorce when Jacque disappeared. She was last seen near Clay Waller's home in Jackson.

"Clay misses Jackie [sic]; he is saddened and shocked by her disappearance. He hopes and prays for her safe return and his heart goes out to the Rawson family despite their repeated accusations against him. Clay is not responsible for his wife's disappearance and we have substantial evidence to support that claim. We will not comment on the evidence at this point as there is an ongoing police investigation. It is sufficient to state that the police do not consider Clay a 'suspect' in Jackie's [sic] disappearance and they have repeatedly said there is no evidence that a crime was even committed here."

Waller also told the newspaper his truck has been vandalized and he was recently shot in the leg with a pellet gun.

SEATTLE — An unused, unstamped train ticket helped lead to charges against a Seattle man in the abduction and killing of a 7-year-old Illinois girl in 1957.

Prosecutors in northern Illinois' DeKalb County charged Jack Daniel McCullough, 71, on Friday with murdering Maria Ridulph, who was last seen playing with a friend near her home in Sycamore, about 50 miles west of Chicago. Mushroom hunters found Maria's remains five months later in a wooded area about 100 miles from her hometown.

McCullough claimed he took the train from Rockford, Ill., to Chicago the day of the abduction. But The Seattle Times, citing a probable-cause statement filed in court, reported Saturday that a woman who dated McCullough at the time found, while searching through personal items last year at the request of investigators, an unused, unstamped train ticket from Rockford to Chicago dated the day the girl went missing.

Unidentified Woman found in Warren County MO in 2004

Wright City, Missouri (KSDK)-- The mystery of a woman's demise continues to keep law enforcement officials busy in Warren County.

State maintenance workers pulling weeds and clearing brush near an interstate rest area on June 28th 2004 discovered something they would not soon forget. A headless torso of a woman found in the roadside park, not far off I-70 near Wright City.

Dozens of detectives from around the metropolitan St. Louis area lent assistance and support to Warren County lawmen in trying to identify the victim.

Their efforts until now have gone unrewarded. Police can't even be certain of how the woman was killed, let alone a motive behind the horrible crime.

Investigators say the woman was found nude. She had a light complexion and a slight build. They believe she was in her twenties with C-section and appendectomy scars.

Along the way, authorities were given assistance from the FBI as well as the National Center for Missing Adults in Phoenix Arizona. But after seven years they still have more questions unanswered than answered.

Warren County Coroner Roger Mauzy has spent hundreds if not thousands of hours working to identify the victim and return her to her family.

But a sad reminder to Mauzy is the reality that may never happen.

"This could be a disowned child who ran away for whatever reason and unfortunately, nobody has ever come forward."

Mauzy tells News Channel 5 he usually receives a number of calls from people on the day the discovery is remembered and he follows up on every single possibility.

"Several people will call but nothing ever seems to turn. We remain at a dead end in our search for a name and an explanation of why?"

An undisclosed gravesite in Warren County serves as the victims final resting spot but Mauzy says he's ready and willing to exhume the woman and return her to her family.

Anyone with information on the discovery is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS or the Warren County Sheriffs Department at 1-636-456-7088.

Monday, June 27, 2011

K-9 & Air search for Jacque Waller

So glad to hear, the search continues. Don't give up until you have the answers. Good Moms do not just leave their babies. If only Mary Lee Grobe had such community and law enforcement support during the early days of the investigation, maybe we would have answers.

CAPE GIRARDEAU COUNTY, MO (KFVS) - On the ground and in the air, authorities in Cape Girardeau County bring out more resources to search for Jacque Waller. The mother of triplets vanished more than three weeks ago.

"Everyday as new leads come in it's important for us to keep going with it," said Jackson Chief of Police, James Humphreys.

Chief Humphreys says every clue is valuable in the search for Jacque. They're using the Scott County K9 Search Unit to help them scour new locations.

"This morning is perfect because there's just enough moisture they can detect scents a long way off," said Marshia Morton with the K9 Unit. "One dog can do the work of 20 men on the ground. These dogs are amazing."

Commendable Efforts to Find Jacque Waller

CAPE GIRARDEAU COUNTY, MO (KFVS) - Authorities say leads are pouring in as they continue to search for Jacque Waller. Waller has been missing more than three weeks now. She was last seen June 1 in Jackson.

Her estranged husband, Clay Waller has been named as a person of interest because he was the last person to have contact with her. He is not considered a suspect.

Meanwhile, friends, family and total strangers are taking matters into their own hands, launching their own search parties and saying they will stop at nothing to find her.

"The response has been amazing,' said Rawson. "I didn't think they're be so many people. We love her. We want to bring her home for us and for the kids."

The groups went door to door passing out flyers, talking to people about Jacque and searching land around Cape County.

Family friend, Dan Hittson says they need to make contact with as many people as possible.

"If you think you know something you need to call authorities," said Hittson. "If somebody did something to her they need to be brought to justice. We want to help this family find closure. There's three little kids that want to know what happened to their mother."

Searchers with one group met with police to discuss their plan before spreading out into different areas. Authorities say they are also looking in new locations.

"From our end we are meeting with some dog teams to search new areas that we're learned about through leads and other interviews," said Jackson Police Chief James Humphreys.

Chief Humphreys says they also expect new leads to emerge once crime labs complete testing on evidence. They are also asking all members of the public for help.

"If you're a property owner it's extremely important that you go police your own property and just scan your own areas," said Chief Humphreys. "That's a tremendous help for us. It eliminates a lot of area."

Chief Humphreys says he's happy with the response from Waller's friends, parents, and siblings. He wants them to know investigators are working round the clock to bring Jacque home.

"There's a lot of bulldogs on this case," said Chief Humphreys. "We're going to see it through. It's personal to us now."

Jacque Waller's estranged husband, Clay Waller has been named a person of interest in the case. He is not a suspect. Chief Humphreys says the Jackson Police Department has not heard from Clay Waller since June 7.

Missing Missouri Mothers

This is an old post from Saturday, March 04, 2006 but sadly the list has grown. None of the three crimes listed have been solved. This probably gives hope to criminals who also want to commit the same kind of crime; hence the list grows longer.

Call or e-mail your local media, Ask for more coverage, more air-time, for them to help these mothers be found.KFVS-12 CBS in Cape Girardeau MO 573-335-1212 news@kfvs12.com KAIT-8 ABC in Jonesboro AR 800-738-6397 news8@kait8.com KTVI-2 FOX in St. Louis MO 314-647-2222 ktvinews@foxtv.com KSDK-5 NBC in St. Louis MO 314-444-5125 newstips@ksdk.com KMOV-4 CBS in St. Louis MO 314-444-6333 tips@kmov.com

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Be Strong Jacque Waller's Family

Be strong; it is ugly now but will get uglier as the criminal tries to shift the attention off himself and onto others. For honest people, it's hard to believe what a criminal will do to his so called loved ones.

KFVS) - Wednesday marks three weeks since Jacque Waller disappeared.

As her family searches for answers, Jacque's mother is now reacting to a message allegedly posted on her daughter's Facebook page by her estranged husband, Clay Waller.

The message said, "i miss you so much" and "i wish for your safe return."

Jacque's mother Ruby Dawson tells a St. Louis TV station the post angers her and she doesn't believe he's sincere.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Reward for Missing Mom

The family of Jacque Waller is doing a great job keeping her name out; thanks also to KFVS for helping. This is such a terrible thing to happen to a family yet many people do not know what a growing problem it has become in Missouri. The number of missing (especially women) keeps growing. Probably because criminals observe that others are getting away with this terrible crime.

One reward foundation that has been very helpful and supportive to us is

Thanks CUE Center and Scott Co. K9

It warms our hearths to see the loving support such as this extended to find the missing and give the family hope and/or answers. Thanks so much to Marshia Morton and Monica Caison and others who give so freely of their time and expertise to help. After all the bad that has happened it is so wonderful to see the good in humanity. Thanks to KFVS for informing viewers of the growing missing person problem (especially women) in Missouri.

From KFVS:

SCOTT COUNTY, MO (KFVS) - A Scott County search and rescue unit wants families like Jacque Waller's family to know there's hope they will find their missing loved ones.

From recent cases, to cold cases, the team works with a national center called CUE which stands for Community United Effort.

Just this Sunday, the Scott County team returned from searching for a missing woman in Oklahoma and even searched for Shawn Hornbeck before he was found alive. They want families to know through the networking abilities of the CUE center there are local and national resources available that can bring them answers even when they think all hope is lost.

"We are just individuals with the right attitude who are working just for the family. We are trying to work with law enforcement to bring families closure," said Marshia Morton of the Scott County team.

Anywhere in the United States, the team can be called in.

"I just can't imagine anything worse than not knowing where your family member is," said Claire Stadt. "We can help eliminate a lot of possibilities with our dogs and our search teams and resources."

Thank you Missouri Missing

Friday, June 17, 2011

Missing and Unidentified Persons Day in Missouri

Thank you Missouri for remembering the ones that can't speak for themselves--our loved ones who are missing or as of yet unidentified. We shouldn't forget and shouldn't allow this list to continue to grow. These cases need to be solved soon.

Help the Family of Cheryl Ann Scherer

Cheryl Ann Scherer's mother and sister now say watching families who've also searched for decades make progress now gives them the courage to put out a call to anyone who might know who took Cheryl Ann more than three decades ago.

Please Help Find Jacque Waller

New leads, missing details in Waller caseMO (KFVS) - Jackson's police chief says his department is now taking the lead in the Jacque Waller case.

James Humphreys says they're moving forward without any new information from the last person to see the missing mother of three.

"We're trying to fill in the blanks without his help, basically," Humphreys said late Monday morning, referring to Waller's estranged husband Clay.

Humphreys says police have not spoken to Clay Waller since June 7, the same day Waller set up an interview with Heartland News to, he said, share his side of the story. Waller did not show up for that interview.

Sunday, February 06, 2011

Please Help Teresa Butler's Family

It is so sad, that likely people know what happened to Teresa and while they could bring comfort and closure to this loving family have remainded silent thus far.

RISCO, MO (KFVS) - Rumors or clues? To this day, tips continue to pour in regarding the disappearance of Teresa Butler.

Five years after she vanished, authorities say they continue to get calls claiming they know what happened to her. But police say they're still waiting on that one call or email that will bring her family closure.

"We've heard from about the most horrible thing you can imagine," said Butler's sister, Brenda Wilson. "We have other people tell us she's still out there."

Jan. 25 marked the five year anniversary. Her husband Dale came home from working the night shift to find their two sons home alone. Teresa was gone. Now Teresa's sister, Brenda Wilson says she believes people close to Risco know more than they let on.

"I think there's a lot of people that know what happened," said Wilson. "They just don't want to get involved.

From the home, electronics were missing, and there was a random call from Teresa's cell phone to a home in southeast Missouri with no connection to Teresa. Wilson says callers phone her from across the country.

"A lot of them have family that are connected to this area and they will hear something," said Wilson.

She says it's hard to tell fact from fiction. Stories range from where she could be buried, to where she could be living. Wilson say there's been so many rumors the stories can be overwhelming.

"There's just been so much it's hard to tell what's true. We've probably heard the truth. I honestly think we have," said Wilson.

"In one sense I'm thankful that five years later people are still talking about it," said New Madrid County Sheriff Terry Stevens. .

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Seven Years Ago In Butler County Missouri . . . . .

9-27-10 marked the 7 Year Anniversary of the disappearance of Mary Lee Grobe from her home in Poplar Bluff, MO. It marked the seven year anniversary of undeserved freedom for the one responsible for her disappearance. It marked seven years of lies for all those who helped conceal it. It also marks another year of undeserved public trust and office of Sharron Payne, Mary's Public Administrator who had the power in her hands to help Mary but chose to turn her back on her client and let be victimized.

Mary Lee Grobe was ripped from the people who loved her 7 years ago today. We have yet to see justice—we have yet to have resolution.

We hope the guilty one(s) stop for a moment today and reflect on what they have done. God already knows who was responsible on 9-27-03 but the rest of us need resolution. All need to come clean for any forgiveness. Soap won’t clean what you have done. Mary Lee Grobe’s blood cries out and you can’t wash it off until you tell the truth.

Our questions to you the one responsible include: What did she do to deserve this in your eyes? Who else deserved this in your eyes? Was it worth it? How can your family stand you? How can they protect you? Why would they want to? How can they restfully sleep at night? Doesn’t it occur to them that if you think you can make money off it; their life is at risk also? How can you stand yourself?

Why didn’t she (in your evil eyes) deserve a proper burial? For all those duped . . . has your reasoning ability kicked in yet? Have you finally looked at the evidence around you? Hate people if you must for whatever trumped up reason that makes you feel good but use your brain—look at who benefited from her disappearance. Look who had opportunity. If it has dawned on you that you were duped; you are probably embarrassed right now but the embarrassment isn’t going to go away just because you continue to ignore it. The embarrassment will go away and forgiveness given once you speak up and bravely step forward.

There’s no more reward money, you missed that, but doing the right thing is priceless. Doing the right thing is what Mary Lee Grobe deserves! Do the right thing if not for yourself, your family, for Mary.

Thank You Kelly Jolkowski for Your Tireless Efforts to Help the Victims and Their Families

Mother of missing son honored for helping other families cope when their loved ones go missing

OMAHA, NE and WASHINGTON D.C. – April 16, 2010 – The U.S. Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) today named Kelly Jolkowski as the 2010 Volunteer for Victims Honoree. The announcement came at the National Crime Victims’ Service Awards Ceremony Friday, April 16, 2010 at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, DC. The awards are part of the OVC’s National Crime Victims Rights Week, April 18-24. Jolkowski was one of eight people honored by the U.S. Justice Department for their work assisting victims of crime.

Jolkowski is President and Founder of Omaha, Neb.-based Project Jason, a nonprofit that assists families of missing adults and children. She became a volunteer for the cause of missing persons after her son, Jason, disappeared in 2001. Because Jason’s age placed him as an adult, she found it difficult to identify a source for advice or comfort. She determined no family should experience this loss without assistance, and founded Project Jason, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

Ernie Allen, President and CEO of The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, said: “We congratulate Kelly Jolkowski, volunteer for families of the missing, for being among the honorees in this year’s National Crime Victims’ Service Awards. We thank the U.S. Department of Justice and the Office for Victims of Crime for recognizing such a worthy member of our community in such a significant and prominent manner. Furthermore, we applaud Kelly Jolkowski, whose outstanding work on behalf of the missing and their families resulted in this deserved honor today. We are proud of her, and fortunate to benefit from her knowledge, her talents, and her dedication.”

Colleen Nick, CEO of The Morgan Nick Foundation, said: “Our organization has been witness to Kelly's work for a number of years, and we have seen her powerful commitment in action as she guides the families of the missing through their darkest hours,” said Colleen Nick, CEO of The Morgan Nick Foundation, which provides a support network to parents and families of missing children. ”She provides hope and strength for these families and awareness for their missing loved ones. We are delighted that she has been singled out for this distinguished honor.”

“I’m honored to accept this award on behalf of all missing persons, the families who miss them, and in my son’s name,” said Jolkowski upon receiving the award. “The secondary victims, the families, deserve a voice, and to be treated with fairness, dignity, and respect as they go through what is undoubtedly the most difficult time in their lives. This is what I do, and for this work to be honored can be a catalyst for the change of the mindset of the public as it pertains to the aid given to these suffering families.”

About the U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)

The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) was established by the 1984 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) to oversee diverse programs that benefit victims of crime. OVC provides substantial funding to state victim assistance and compensation programs-the lifeline services that help victims to heal. The agency supports trainings designed to educate criminal justice and allied professionals regarding the rights and needs of crime victims. OVC also sponsors an annual event in April to commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW). OVC is one of seven components within the Office of Justice Programs,

About the OVC National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

Each April since 1981, OVC has helped lead communities throughout the country in their annual observances of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) by promoting victims’ rights and honoring crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf. http://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw/index.html

National Crime Victims’ Service Awards

OVC annually recognizes individuals and organizations that demonstrate outstanding service in supporting victims and victim services. The award recipients, who are selected from public nominations in eight categories, are extraordinary individuals and programs that provide services to victims of crime. The honorees are announced just before National Crime Victims’ Rights Week commences and honored at the National Crime Victims’ Service Awards (http://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw/events.htm).

Project Jason, founded in 2003, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting families of missing persons . The organization offers tactical guidance, emotional support, and hope for families continuing their searches for answers.

The families working with Project Jason benefit from increased public awareness of their missing loved ones through a variety of outreach and educational activities. The families are also guided toward existing resources available to help with their efforts. Project Jason is based in Omaha, Nebraska.

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Please Help pass the Silver Alert/Kristen's Act for the U.S.

There are many ways YOU can advocate for Missing Adults and their families.

1. Participate in the 2010 "March on Washington for Missing Adults" by calling, emailing and writing a letter of support for the Silver Alert/Kristen's Act. Information about this important piece of legislation can be found at:

3. Make a tax deductible gift to Let's Bring Them Home and the National Center for Missing Adults.

Visit NCMA for more details. You can change the gift amount found in the shopping cart to any amount. Every gift, large or small, makes a difference! All donations are used to support families with missing loved ones.

Saturday, December 05, 2009

Training to help find the missing!

Every 30 seconds someone in the U.S. disappears, an average of 850,000 persons per year. Approximately 105,000 of these cases remain unsolved. Almost half of these cases represent unidentified persons.

This national conference provides attendees with investigative and forensic tools as well as updates on cutting-edge technology. A focus is placed on holistic strategies to foster collaboration across geographic jurisdictions and the importance of communication among local, state and federal law enforcement and criminal justice practitioners. View the Conference Brochure and Draft Agenda (under the Quick Links section to the right) for more detailed information.

Featured SpeakersIncluded among the schedule of diverse and experienced speakers at this national conference are Ed Smart, an expert on child safety and father of recovered Elizabeth Smart; Jim Clemente, writer and consultant for Criminal Minds television series; James Lewis, New Haven, Connecticut Chief of Police; and Dr. P. Michael Murphy, Coroner for Clark County in Law Vegas, Nevada. View the Featured Speakers web page for more information on these exciting presenters.

Project Rest

Click the link before for a poster of Mary Lee Grobe, Teresa Lynn Butler, Christina Carol Burnett-Pitts, and Tony Eugene Woodworth. All still missing! Thanks to MSHP and MoDot for keeping their names and faces out to remind people they need to be found.

Friday, October 02, 2009

Former Southeast Missouri public administrator charged with stealing from those in her care

Former Southeast Missouri public administrator charged with stealing from those in her care

Friday, October 2, 2009 ~ Updated 11:44 AMStandard Democrat

NEW MADRID - A former New Madrid County official is charged with three counts of stealing from those under her care.

Nancy C. Pardon, who served as the New Madrid County Public Administrator until resigning in August 2008, is accused of a Class B felony of stealing for the theft of at least $25,000 in cash and checks from one of those under her care. Also she is charged with two Class C felonies of stealing for the theft of at least $500 from two others who she was responsible for as the public administrator.

Special prosecuting attorney Douglas S. Pribble with the Missouri Attorney General's office filed the charges in New Madrid County on Sept. 25. Following her appearance Sept. 28 before Judge W. Keith Currie, Pardon was released on her own recognizance and scheduled to return to court on Oct. 7. Currie is an associate circuit judge from Pemiscot County who was appointed after Judge Charles Spitler recused himself from the case because he handles the probate docket in New Madrid County.

In the probable cause statement, Missouri Highway Patrol Sgt. Dennis A. Overbey stated Pardon was appointed guardian of the estate of Evelyn Barnes, who had two bank accounts. The Probate Court was not advised of the existence of an account containing $35,725.99, Overbey stated.

According to Overbey, within six months the account was drained of all but $81.38, at which time the final amount was withdrawn by Pardon and the account closed. "In six months Nancy Pardon spent $35,725.99 of Ms. Barnes' money on herself. Ms. Barnes did not receive any money from this account once Pardon took control," he stated.

The investigative officer noted several other incidents of Pardon allegedly writing checks to a range of businesses including Trees and Trends, J.C. Penney, Cracker Barrel and Sam's for clothing, jewelry, a 32-inch LCD television and other items. In his investigation, he stated, the nursing home's personnel were not aware of Ms. Barnes receiving any of the items.

Overbey found from January 2005 through April 2006, $7,050 in checks were allegedly written to Billie Sue Whitley and signed by Nancy Pardon for cash. After Whitley was moved into a nursing home, Pardon allegedly continued to write checks to Billie Sue Whitley and sign them for cash in the amount of $2,384.64, however the nursing home's records do not show Ms. Whitley receiving any of the money from the checks.

"It was also discovered that during 2006, after Ms. Whitley had been placed in a nursing home, her Social Security check continued to go into her bank account, but the money was never sent to the nursing home," Overbey stated. While this money totaled $2,013.20, eventually Pardon would provide the nursing home with $1,892, leaving $121.20 for which the investigator could not account.

In another incident Overbey noted Margie Weaver received a monthly pension of $301.20 from Caterpillar that went into a bank account, which Pardon did not report to the Probate Court. When the court brought the pension to Pardon's attention, he stated, she denied any knowledge of it but that same day closed the account.

"Several years of the pension (2005 through 2006 totaling $8,566.80) went unreported and cannot be accounted for," Overbey stated.

Nor could Overbey account for all the $5,000 Pardon received from the sale of Ms. Weaver's house. "The only legitimate expenditure appears to be a preneed burial policy for $2,000..." he stated, adding Ms. Weaver stated she had not received any money from Pardon nor do the nursing home records show any more than $70 deposited in her account.

The Attorney General's office is handling the case on the request of the New Madrid County Prosecuting Attorney's office.

The counts filed are charges. A person's innocence or guilt is determined by a court of law.

Thursday, October 01, 2009

Suspect in Doisy killing from 1976 is arrested

Suspect in Doisy killing from 1976 is arrested

By Virginia YoungST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH09/30/2009

For 33 years, police in Columbia, Mo., have searched for Rebecca Doisy's killer.

Doisy, a Kirkwood High School graduate, disappeared in Columbia in 1976. The trail of evidence eventually led police to Johnny Wright, who had pestered Doisy at the restaurant where she worked as a waitress.

But by the time Wright was charged with the murder years later, he could not be found. Neither was Doisy's body, despite extraordinary efforts that included exhuming a "Jane Doe" in Jefferson County, consulting a psychic and letting a "cold case" class of forensic science college students investigate the crime.

"There were a lot of dead ends," said Chris Egbert, the Columbia police detective who pursued leads until he retired in 1993.

That all changed Monday, when Columbia police received a call from officers in Lawrenceville, Ga. They had nabbed Wright, 65, after he went to the police department and filled out paperwork for a routine background check needed as part of a job application......

Sunday, September 27, 2009

6 Years and Still Waiting for the Truth!

Today is the six year anniversary of Mary Lee Grobe's disappearance. It has been six long years without answers. We are still waiting for the person(s) responsible to develop the courage and integrity to step up and take responsibility for his actions so the family can heal.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

America's Most Wanted to Feature Southeast Missouri Cold Case

NEW MADRID-- America will be asked once again for its help in solving a Southeast Missouri cold case.

The television show "America's Most Wanted" will air a segment on an old homicide in Greenville, S.C., and its link to the March 28, 1998, murders of Sherri Ann Scherer and her 12-year-old daughter, Megan Elizabeth. The two were found dead at their rural home near Portageville, Mo.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

National Missing Persons Organizations merge to offer state-of-the-art safety education for all ages, and critical resources to families with missing

Bentonville, AR. – Let’s Bring Them Home (LBTH), a Bentonville, Arkansas non-profit offering safety education to children and families, as well as resources to families with missing loved ones, today announced a merger with the National Center for Missing Adults (NCMA), a nonprofit organization that acts as the national clearinghouse for missing adults, as well as provides services and coordination between various government agencies, law enforcement, media and most importantly, families of missing adults.

LBTH, established in 2005, specializes in safety education, while NCMA, a sixteen-year-old nonprofit, has been the primary service provider to law enforcement and the families of missing adults throughout the country and maintains a repository of information regarding disappearances of individuals who have been determined by law enforcement to be “at risk” due to diminished mental capacity, such as Alzheimer’s disease, those with physical disabilities, individuals whose disappearance is suspicious, and/or when foul play is suspected.

In addition, NCMA provides specialized training to law enforcement throughout the United States and has been acknowledged by the United States Department of Justice for resolving 99.8% of all missing adult reports during Hurricane Katrina.According to NCMA founder, Kym Pasqualini, who headed up NCMA, the merger will provide families across the nation with quality safety education and services to families for missing adults.“At a time when nonprofits throughout the country are struggling in a weakened economy it is important for nonprofit organizations to explore how to better diversify resources. LBTH and NCMA are a perfect match with services that complement each other,” explains Pasqualini.

"This merger will enable us to continue to fulfill our mission and broaden services."The merger, effective immediately, will allow NCMA financial stability for the first time since 2006 when the organization experienced significant funding cuts from the government. Corporate headquarters as well as a safety education center for the newly merged organization will open in Northwest Arkansas, while the office of case management will remain in Phoenix, Arizona. Employees at both former organizations will be retained.

Amy Smith, Executive Director of Let's Bring Them Home, believes this merger will make a huge impact on safety education and on services for missing adults. "The merge of our organizations was a natural fit - like two pieces of a puzzle that fit together perfectly - all for the benefit of children and families throughout the United States."

As the newly merged organization now entitled Let’s Bring Them Home & The National Center for Missing Adults transitions, the families of missing adults can expect services to re-launch in full force beginning October 10, 2009. Over the coming months, Let’s Bring Them Home & the National Center for Missing Adults will launch expanded programming, training, and services to families across the United States.

"This organizational merger," explains Smith, "will enable us to fulfill the simple but important motto that we strive to live out daily: our passion is prevention, but our heart is with the missing."

For more information on the newly merged organization, contact Amy Smith at 479-871-1059 or via email atletsbringthemhome@gmail.com or Kym Pasqualini at 602-769-4597 or via email at k.pasqualini@missingadults.org.

For more information on the LBTH/NCMA merger visit: http://www.lbth.org or http://www.theyaremissed.org

Thursday, July 02, 2009

Missing Man, Robert Peters

The search for a missing Poplar Bluff businessman has entered its fifth day. Law enforcement plans to extend rescue efforts to Bollinger county today.

Robert Peters, 43, owner of Miracle Ear, was last seen at 4:30 a.m. Sunday at Hidden Valley Campground by the Castor River in northeastern Wayne County near the Bollinger County line. Peters was wearing khaki shorts, a light blue T-shirt and glasses and carrying a flashlight.

Family members believe Peters, who is insulin dependent, became confused because of low sugar levels and wandered away.

“We have to find him quickly,” his wife, Vicki Peters, said this morning. “He needs insulin to stay alive.”

Four months later, his mother's skeleton, her heart-shaped pendant and her .38-caliber revolver were found in an abandoned septic tank on a farm in Pike County.

Betty Ann Howery of St. Charles was 44 when she vanished on Feb. 20, 1992. That night, police say, she had accompanied her husband to their farm about six miles north of Elsberry, near the Mississippi River.

Higginbotham reported her missing, telling police she never would have left without an explanation.

"It just didn't make sense," Higginbotham said. "None of it added up."

************Our Comments: So glad this man finally got answers to his Mother's disappearance. What was wrong with the new step Mom? Why would she blindly accept that the old wife disappeared and not ask any questions?

From ElderAbuseHelp.Org

EstateofDenial.com hears on an almost daily basis of new Involuntary Redistribution of Assets (IRA) cases in which probate venues and/or probate instruments (wills, trusts, guardianships and powers of attorney) are used to loot assets of the dead and disabled/incapacitated. That is significant for a small, relatively obscure web site like EoD.

We recently added a new entry called New Jersey Corruption to the EoD Links and Sources page. This horrific story is detailed by a member of the Blasco family who says “My Father, a Vietnam Vet with a purple heart, is having his estate stolen by New Jersey’s Government Courts.”

These accounts, albeit familiar, are individually tragic and heartbreaking when taking into account the numerous lives harmed in each action. We posted another similar case out of Ohio earlier this week. Many other inquiries and pleas we receive are not published due to their sensitive nature or pending legal action.

What is most sad is while cries for help are desperately increasing, many people don’t understand the IRA issue, even more don’t bother listening and only a few care. IRA targets - those alive or with any ability to speak - regularly lament how they never dreamed such acts of looting could so overtake their lives. And routinely, these are people who completed their “proper estate planning” yet through opportunistic maneuvering by wannabe heirs and/or dishonest legal professionals, their wishes are ignored or subverted.

Another common thread is that targets or other parties at the forefront of dealing with these actions will tell of contacting all seemingly logical authorities, going through the appropriate processes and channels, doing everything that appears as a reasonable course to avoid an ugly dispute or prolonged, extensive legal battle. Despite these efforts, dead ends or directions to civil court are all that are found.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Missouri Probate Code 475.120

Missouri Probate code 475.120

Public Administrator's Office, Powers and Duties of a Guardian

Probate code 475.120 - The general powers and duties of a guardian of an incapacitated person shall be to take charge of the person of the Ward and to provide for the ward's care, treatment, habilitation, education, support, and maintenance; and the powers and duties shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. Assure that the Ward resides in the best and least restrictive setting reasonably available.2. Assure that the Ward receives medical care and other services that are needed.3. Promote and protect the care, comfort, safety, health, and welfare of the Ward.4. Provide required consents on behalf of the Ward.5. To exercise all powers and discharge all duties necessary or proper to implement the provisions of this section.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

DAR Newspaper April 17, 2009

Clothing and personal items found with the human remains in an area east of Poplar Bluff have led authorities to believe with “great certainty” they belong to an elderly woman who has been missing for more than five years.

“At approximately 2:30 (p.m.) Wednesday, we were alerted by a citizen who had been riding an (all-terrain vehicle) that he had found possible human remains in a heavily wooded, brushy area in the 1700 block of B Highway,” Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs explained.

On Thursday, local and federal authorities excavated the site and found “certain personal items, as well as clothing, to indicate to us, with great certainty, this was Mary (Lee) Grobe’s remains ” Dobbs said. ,

Butler County Coroner Jim Akers agreed. Female clothing found with the remains, as well as personal items belonging to Grobe, make it “highly likely this is her, but we will not make a positive identification until the DNA” testing is completed.

Akers said the remains are being sent to the FBI’s “state-of-the art, premier” laboratory at Quantico, Va., for DNA analysis.

“The family has already submitted DNA for comparison,” Akers said. “In speaking with the forensic anthropologist, we were advised bone could be used to get midacondria DNA.”

Midacondria DNA reportedly is DNA that is not easily found as compared to DNA that can be easily found skin cells tissue and blood

Akers , said it will . take several months to get DNA results back from the FBI’s lab.

“At this time, it is still undetermined (what) the manner and cause” of death are, Akers said. “We’re waiting on the results of this to move forward.”

Dobbs said officers hope FBI officials will be able to determine a cause of death and whether there was any trauma to the body, “anything an autopsy would tell us.”

The vast majority of the remains were recovered, Dobbs said.

With the condition of the remains and items located, it is “consistent with multiple years of degradation,” Akers said.

Grobe, 74, was last seen at about 6 p.m. Sept. 27, 2003, at her residence at 1557 Highway B by her granddaughter, Amy Bridgewater.

Two days later, concerned family members entered Grobe’s residence and found her and her dog, “BB,” missing. Her purse and medication were still inside; however, an overnight bag and some winter clothing also were missing.

Since her disappearance, Grobe’s dog returned home in good condition a few days later and authorities have conducted extensive searches and followed up on numerous leads with no success.

The remains, Dobbs said, were found on another individual’s property, where the ATV operator was “apparently blazing new trails.”

The terrain, according to Dobbs, wasn’t even fit for walking.

“Our office was contacted shortly after (the remains were found),” Dobbs said. “Myself and Investigator Charles Phelps went to the location where (the citizen) had thought he found the remains.”

Dobbs said he and Phelps did a “quick grid search of the immediate area.

“That search resulted in the finding of just a few bones under the leaves and vegetation,” Dobbs said. “There was nothing readily apparent.

“I feel confident if we wouldn’t have been taken to that area and had it pinpointed to us, it would have been highly unlikely for us to find.”

At that point, Dobbs said, the scene was secured and assistance was requested from the Missouri State Highway Patrol and its local Division of Drug and Crime Control and the Poplar Bluff Police Department

“Upon their arrival, we did another small grid search and flagged several items we believed to be human remains,” Dobbs said.

The scene again was secured and assistance was requested from the FBI and it’s evidence response team, Dobbs said.

“(The site) was secured overnight, and we began excavation of the scene on Thursday morning,” Dobbs said.

Agents from the FBI’s Cape Girardeau office and its eight-man response team from St. Louis joined local and state investigators in the search Thursday

“The first task was to get all the vegetation pulled back and out of the way,” Dobbs said. A lot of limbs had fallen in the area “where we needed to be,” he said. “I don’t know how long the brush had been there,” but he suspected a lot of it had fallen during the ice storm.

After slowly and carefully removing the brush, officers flagged all relevant artifacts and remains before beginning the excavation, said Dobbs, who described the change to the area as going from looking like a jungle to farmland

The site was “about a circumference of 25 yards,” Dobbs said. “Most of the remains were contained in one, smaller area of about 8 feet in radius.”

Dobbs said there were obvious signs that animals had been scavenging in the area where the remains were found and had been digging in numerous places.

Dobbs said it is possible this discovery would not have been made had animals not been forging and moving the remains.

Officers, Dobbs said, conducted a grid search a “few inches at a time. It was plotted to where it can be recreated with computer-aided software.”

Dobbs said the site was about “50 yards to the east of the (out-of-use sewage) lagoon that was drained” in May 2005.

“Relative walking distance is approximately 400 feet from (Grobe’s) house” to the scene, Dobbs said.

While authorities completed excavating the property Thursday, Dobbs said, he and Akers are not done completely with the scene.

“We’re done with the search for remains out there, (but) there are some questions we want to get answered at the scene,” Dobbs said.

At this point, “our work as far as determining what happened and how it happened has just began,” Dobbs explained. “There are still a lot of questions we have to get answered.”

The remains, according to Dobbs, were at least “partially submerged in the soil; however it is a very low-lying area that is prone to flooding. One of the things we need to get answered is what impact last year’s record flooding had on the scene.”

Dobbs believes the area where the remains were found may have been searched before.

“I do not know if (officers) walked over the specific area, but (they have) been in that general area,” Dobbs said.

Dobbs said he can’t necessarily account for what reason or circumstances kept the body from previously being found .

The remains, Dobbs said, weren’t found on Grobe’s property, but on the second property, east of her home, “which might account for why (officers) didn’t find her.”

“It was one of the investigations I inherited when I took over as sheriff, and I did not take part in the grid search when she initially was reported missing,” Dobbs said. “Therefore, I can’t and don’t feel comfortable speculating on why or why not she wasn’t found at that time.

“I can only say that the investigation from its onset was not done the way we would do things under our present administration.”

KFVS TV 12 News cast

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Elder Abuse

What is Elder Abuse?Elder abuse of individuals in the community takes many forms, and in most cases victims are subjected to more than one type of mistreatment. In Missouri, over 50% of elder abuse reports allege physical neglect (to include self neglect); 10% allege financial exploitation; 8% allege physical abuse; and over 9% allege emotional abuse.

Abuse – the infliction of physical, sexual, or emotional injury or harm including financial exploitation by any person, firm, or corporation. Neglect – the failure to provide services to an eligible adult by any person, firm or corporation with a legal or contractual duty to do so, when such failure presents either an imminent danger to the health, safety, or welfare of the client or a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm would result. Eligible Adult – a person sixty years of age or old who is unable to protect his or her own interests or adequately perform or obtain services which are necessary to meet his or her essential human needs or an adult with a disability, as defined in section 660.053, between the ages of eighteen or fifty-nine who is unable to protect his or her own interests or adequately perform or obtain services which are necessary to meet his or her essential human needs. Disability – a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, whether the impairment is congenital or acquired by accident, injury or disease, where such impairment is verified by medical findings. Financial Exploitation - A person commits the crime of financial exploitation of an elderly or disabled person if such person knowingly and by deception, intimidation, or force obtains control over the elderly or disabled person's property with the intent to permanently deprive the elderly or disabled person of the use, benefit or possession of his or her property thereby benefiting such person or detrimentally affecting the elderly or disabled person.

The neglect

is most often attributable to the circumstances or environment of the victim – often circumstances beyond their control; often includes significant limitations in major life activities such as walking, bathing, cleaning, preparing meals, or shopping.

The abuser

is most often a family member – adult child, spouse, grandchild, and other relative; (25% of reports with someone named as a possible perpetrator) may be experiencing difficulties or problems due to the stress associated with caregiving; and may be frustrated or isolated. Interventions must take into account, wherever possible, most seniors’ desire not to sever family ties.

The victim

is most often a female (64%) white (79%) living alone (43%) with spouse or relative (42%) may suffer from some form of dementia or physical impairment, often suffering from multiple limitations which make him/her dependent on others for care; tends to be isolated; may suffer from more than one type of abuse or neglect; may be reluctant to admit his/her loved one is an abuser; and may be fearful of reporting abuse, thinking it could lead to further harm, nursing home placement or total abandonment. These characteristics make intervening more complicated and cases more difficult.

Remains Discovered of Woman Missing More Than Five YearsBy Chris Regnier FOX2now.com

Suspected human remains foundBy MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor darnews.comLocal and federal authorities will begin searching an area east of Poplar Bluff today after suspected human remains were found near the home of an elderly woman who has been missing for more than five years. “We’ve located what is possibly human remains within close proximity of Mary Grobe’s residence,” explained Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs. Mary Lee Grobe, 74, was last seen at about 6 p.m. Sept. 27, 2003, at her residence at 1557 Highway B by her granddaughter, Amy Bridgewater. Two days later, concerned family members entered Grobe’s residence and found her and her dog, “BB,” missing. Her purse and medication were still inside; however, an overnight bag and some winter clothing also were missing. Since her disappearance, Grobe’s dog returned home in good condition a few days later and authorities have conducted extensive searches and followed up numerous leads with no success. The possible remains, Dobbs said, were found at about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday on private property. Dobbs said he has requested the assistance of the Missouri State Highway Patrol and it’s local Division of Drug and Crime Control, the Poplar Bluff Police Department and the FBI’s evidence response team to help in the search. “We’re waiting for the experts in the field of human remains to show up; that’s why we’ve asked the FBI to assist us,” explained Dobbs. At this time, Dobbs said, he does not know how long the search is going to take. “Today basically is going to be a methodical approach with regard to processing the scene,” said Dobbs, who doesn’t know the size of the area to be searched at this time.

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Where is Mary Grobe?

Monday, December 22, 2008

Please help us speak up for the missing! Change is needed in the U.S.

Missing persons voices have been silenced and sadly forgotten in the U.S. Help us speak up for them and change the way the cases are handled. Please vote so we can get more national attention for the missing.

Go to Change.org (or click on link in the title of this post)and vote on establishing a protocol for missing persons cases which utilized current technology.

Sunday, December 07, 2008

Five Years of Undeserved Freedom has ended!

Bitter Sweet News for the family of Angie Yarnell. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time. Husband charged in wife's 2003 death

.............

Saturday, December 6, 2008 | 6:12 p.m. CSTBY The Associated PressVERSAILLES — A Morgan County man has been charged with killing his wife, who has been missing since 2003.

Michael Shane Yarnell, 39, was charged Thursday with second-degree murder, two counts of voluntary manslaughter and one count of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michelle "Angie" Yarnell, who was 28 when she disappeared around Oct. 26, 2003.Police, who had been looking for Michael Yarnell since 2005, arrested him Nov. 5 in Biloxi, Miss.

Morgan County Sheriff James Petty said Yarnell told police his wife died after the couple fought and he pushed her off a 10-foot-high deck at their Ivy Bend home. He then dumped her body on an island, Petty said Friday.

Asher-Chapman, who had pushed investigators to continue looking for her daughter for five years, told the Sedalia Democrat she didn't know how to react to the news.

"I don't know yet," she said. "I'm just kind of numb."

Yarnell told police he took his wife's body by boat to an uninhabited island off the Osage River near Ivy Bend, where he left her remains, Petty said. Yarnell led investigators to the island about four miles from the Yarnells' former home and a search was under way for the remains.

Morgan County Prosecutor Marvin Opie said Yarnell faces four different charges to allow an eventual jury to find him guilty on a lesser charge if sufficient evidence isn't available to convict him on the murder charge. If convicted of murder, Yarnell could face life in prison.

He also faces charges for forgery and tampering with evidence , which were filed in November when Asher-Chapman reported that she had received a post card that purported to be sent from her daughter on Nov. 7, 2003.

Michael Yarnell told police he sent Asher-Chapman the post card, Petty said, in the hope that it would stop the investigation and lead investigators to think Angie Yarnell was alive and headed to Texas.

Investigators found items that Angie Yarnell would have taken with her while searching the home of Michael Yarnell's former stepfather, Petty said.

That made it clear to investigators that Michael Yarnell's previous story about his wife's disappearance "didn't match up," Petty said. When Michael Yarnell was confronted with the new evidence, he confessed to killing his wife, the sheriff said.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

5 Years of Undeserved Freedom!

9-27-08 marked the 5 Year Anniversary of the disappearance of Mary Lee Grobe from her home in Poplar Bluff, MO. It marked the 5th anniversary of undeserved freedom for the one responsible for her disappearance and all those who helped conceal it. It also marks the 5th year of undeserved public trust and office of Sharron Payne, Mary's Public Administrator.

The picture included is that of Mary and her husband, Eugene. Mary made it very clear where she wanted her final resting place to be. . . beside her husband. Yet, those who don't respect life can't respect final wishes either.

MOCHIP is a comprehensive child identification & protection program designed to provide families a proactive means of preparation should their child or teen become missing. This program is provided FREE OF CHARGE How does it work? The program consists of five major components: Digital Photographs, Digital Fingerprints, Child Information and Emergency contacts, Dental bite impression, Two (2) laminated ID cards -- combined, provide a powerful identification and recovery tool. The child’s digital photographs & fingerprints, and their vital information are given to the parent or guardian on a mini-CD computer disk. The information on the disk is "AMBER ALERT" compatible.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

We are thinking of Mary . . .

We are thinking of Mary Lee Grobe fondly today as always but our hearts are heavy because of the lack of justice in her case. Butler County, Missouri: where is Mary Lee Grobe and why hasn't this case been solved? Sharron Payne, step down and aside and allow this case to be solved! Allow the truth to come out!

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Missouri Nurse Aid Charged with Elder Abuse

JOPLIN, Mo. -- A former employee at a Carthage nursing home is charged with hitting a wheelchair-bound resident in the groin and forcing water into the man's nose until he turned purple.

Nurse assistant Dennis Rowe faces felony elder abuse charges. Missouri health officials said the attack took place in April 2007 at the Carthage Health and Rehabilitation Center. Rowe is scheduled for a Sept. 11 preliminary hearing in Jasper County.

A probable-cause affidavit said another male employee of the center asked Rowe how he controlled the resident while caring for him. The document said Rowe agreed to demonstrate, then began to assault the man and force water into his nasal passage.

A probable cause statement said the flow caused the man to choke and "turn purple." It said Rowe continued the assault until the other employee stopped him.

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Answers to Questions from readers

Why are you trying to put all the blame on the sheriff at the time and on Sharon Payne? Why is the family trying to put it all on our system and those who work in the system?

The sheriff at the time Mary disappeared along with his buddies, Jerry Armes and Sharron Payne contributed to the blundering of this case. If Sharron had done her job to protect Mary Lee Grobe there wouldn’t have been a case to begin with. If Bill Heaton and Jerry Armes had investigated they may have figured out what happened. Why did they allow Sharron Payne to act like an investigator? She is as dumb as dirt and a control freak. She had her own agenda which she used to convince Heaton and Armes of their next act. If Bill Heaton, Jerry Armes, and Sharron Payne hadn’t leaked information back to the criminals there may have been resolution. If Bill Heaton and Jerry Armes had allowed more intelligent, professional investigators in on the case it would have helped but instead they tried to solve it themselves.

So why do we blame the Sheriff (Bill Heaton) and Sharron Payne . . . because they are to blame.

Why isn't the family taking responsibility for Mary's disappearance?

They didn’t have to because Sharron covered for them; the sheriff (at the time) fell for it and looked the other way. Sharron blocked attempts to look for Mary Lee Grobe. She hasn’t taken a polygraph and she refuses to allow searches. She tried to block other efforts. Why doesn’t Sharron want her client found? She doesn’t want to be exposed for the hypocrite that she is and she doesn’t want her buddies to get in trouble. Yet she says she “loves” her clients. This is another one of her lies. She loves to control and ruin lives.

I just think it is a shame you talk down about Sharon Payne when the family should have been more responsible and been looking after Mary, with surviving family she should not have had to been made a ward of the court.

Keep in mind, Mary Lee Grobe, had seven children, four step children, many grandchildren and even great grandchildren. Mary had many family members that loved her and wanted to take care of her but Sharron wasn’t friends with them. Sharron was friends with the ones that wanted to do Mary Lee Grobe harm. Sharron was on a power trip and sided with the criminals. Sharron along with the criminals blocked phone calls and visits from the ones that loved Mary Lee Grobe. She ignored concerns regarding Mary Lee’s safety. The very reason Mary had a guardian was to protect her and her assets but Sharron either willingly because of her own evil intentions or by deceit was a puppet to the criminals. Sharron failed to act in Mary Lee Grobe’s best interest.

We have heard many similar stories of Sharron’s power trips that caused her clients to suffer. We can’t speak for her other clients but Mary Lee Grobe would be here today if Sharron had done her job. Figuratively, Mary Lee Grobe’s blood is on Sharron’s hands and God will judge her along with the low life’s that are responsible for the crimes against Mary Lee Grobe’s.

*******************

You Scratch my Back . . . . .

Why are the Poplar Bluff and Texas Grobes suddenly sounding off? They have done nothing for years to find Mary Lee Grobe but now they have been reawakened, why?

Why is there such mutual support between Sharron K. Payne and the Poplar Bluff, Mo and Texas Grobes? What is their objective? So far they have worked together to keep the Mary Lee Grobe case from being solved. Obviously, they feel threatened if their buddy (Sharron K. Payne) loses her position of power (Mary Lee Grobe’s Public Administrator). The position that created the environment that allowed Mary Lee Grobe to be victimized and the position that hindered the investigation. So far the system has failed the victims but has worked for the criminals. If the Poplar Bluff, Mo and Texas Grobes can keep Sharron in office, they can keep this vile but reciprocal arrangement. Each benefit greatly.

We on the other hand, want the case solved. We would of course love to have Mary Lee Grobe returned to us safely but based on the evidence we want to be realalistic. At the very, very least Mary Lee Grobe deserved to be granted her final wish to be laid to rest beside her husband. Where is Mary Lee Grobe?

Who called the Carole Sund Reward Fund to try to have the reward fund stopped?Was it Sharron Payne ?Was it a granddaughter in Poplar Bluff?Was it a daughter in law in TX?

Probate code 475.1201. Assure that the Ward resides in the best and least restrictive setting reasonably available.2. Assure that the Ward receives medical care and other services that are needed.Why did Sharron Payne fail to get new eye glasses and hearing aids that were needed and requested3. Promote and protect the care, comfort, safety, health, and welfare of the Ward.Is this why Sharron Payne does not want Mary's body found?4. Provide required consents on behalf of the Ward.5. To exercise all powers and discharge all duties necessary or proper to implement the provisions of this section.

When told repeatedly, Mary Lee Grobe’s life was in jeopardy; Sharron Payne did nothing to help her poor innocent client. Instead of moving her to a safe environment, Sharron issued Mary a Medic Alert button. This is a tool that is helpful if an elderly person falls and/or knows there is a danger and they can call for help. Mary Lee Grobe was legally declared incompetent and didn’t know when to push the button or what happened when she pushed the button. When a trained medical professional asked Mary what she would do if her house was on fire, Mary responded, I would call the district supervisor.” Clearly, Mary didn’t know to call fire department. Mary didn’t know whom to trust, and sometimes she didn’t recognize people from one time to the next. Mary needed help and protection—not a button.

About Me

Thank you Butler County, Missouri and all the caring people who located Mary Lee Grobe and made sure she was at least granted her final wish to be buried beside her husband. Thank you for the prayers, the comforting words, the hard labor, the brain work and determination that went into finding her in April 2009. Thanks to all levels of law enforcement, and newspaper and TV reporters. Extensive DNA comparison with four of her children was done and confirms her identity.
At the time she vanished on 9/27/03 she was a 74 year old, legally declared incompetent child-like elderly widow from Poplar Bluff, MO who lived alone. Amy Bridgewater was the last person to admit seeing her. The door was locked from the outside but her purse, medicines, and all her belongings were inside. Her dog also vanished with her, but returned 2 days later washed and bathed obviously to conceal evidence.
Please continue to speak up and tell what you know about this case. Call Butler County Sherriff’s Department. The truth is still out there. We still need answers and justice for Mary. Please help!